The act of moving from one country to another requires some thought and careful preparation. But it is not as complicated as you may have first thought. Being such a distance from the UK, the cost of removals to Canada can be quite high. However, you do benefit from keeping your cherished possessions. This means you’ll have less new items to buy when you are setting up your first Canadian home.
Time is also a factor that needs to be considered. Unless shipping by air you will need to factor in the three to five weeks for an Atlantic crossing.
It is important to spend a bit of time looking into the options and finding a company that meets your requirements.
The research
After a cursory online search you will realise that there are many companies out there that handle international removals. It is important to spend a bit of time looking into the options and finding a company that meets your requirements. Removal specialists should offer references and testimonials to provide peace of mind, in regards to their professionalism, reliability and customer service. A reputable company should also offer details of their insurance, providing further confirmation that your possessions are in safe hand, or at least will be covered by appropriate insurance in the event of any unforeseen issues.
The cost
There are many variables that will affect the cost of an international removal service to Canada. However, the most significant factors are the weight/volume of the items being shipped, and the distance needing to be covered.
How are you going to ship your belongings to Canada?
A 20 foot shipping container is sufficient for (roughly) the contents of a two-bedroom flat. The cost to ship this container from the UK to Canada by sea will be roughly £3,250 to £5,000. If time is a factor then it may be worth making some sacrifices. Try getting your possessions down to the equivalent of a one bedroom flat, bringing air freight into the equation. Shipping by air typically takes 8-10 days. However the convenience of this service comes at a premium: around £5,500 – £8,000.
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Sharing a 20 or 40 foot shipping container with others in a similar position is also a popular option. This is a great way to maximise the space within a container and split the cost with others. However, it does take a bit longer to coordinate so you should expect a delivery time of at least 5 weeks.
